Using her love-it-or-lose-it “KonMari Method,” Marie Kondo has sparked a global decluttering craze in the last few years. The bestselling author of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” (and three other books) advocates purging unappreciated possessions and carefully arranging the joy-inducing ones — a simplification strategy she’ll also show off on her upcoming Netflix series. When she’s not developing her show or her new, organizational product collection, the 34-year-old Japanese lifestyle expert and founder of KonMari Media lives in California with her husband and two daughters. Here, she shares with Alexa her clean sweep of must-haves.
“When I was a child, I received an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ pop-up book similar to this one as a Christmas gift from my mother. I cannot pass it on to my girls yet, because they’re still too young and would tear out the popup illustrations, but I’m looking forward to sharing the book with them soon!”
“When organizing your kitchen, I first recommend using what you have. However, if you’re seeking something extra special to store your food or cherished items, I suggest this handmade storage solution.”
“These wraps are reusable and made from natural materials. I use them to wrap my daughters’ leftovers, and they’re easy to wash afterwards. Moreover, the designs are beautiful.”
“I love bento boxes — rectangular lunch boxes used by kids and adults alike in Japan. You can pack rice, meat, vegetables and even dessert in a beautiful and colorful manner. The care and love people put into packing a bento box almost makes it an artistic expression.”
“I’m always seeking utility items that also spark joy. This knife is a perfect example of an everyday item that fuses form and function.”
“Before going to bed, I diffuse natural, aromatic oils in my bedroom. My favorites are lavender and Japanese wood. This oil diffuser is subtle, elegant and effective — one of the best I’ve encountered.”
“Rose water is my recent discovery. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and the scent is sublime!”
“A crystal tuner amplifies the healing power of crystals through sonic vibration. The frequency resonates through my mind and body, creating a sense of calm.”
“I have several of these notebooks, each for a different purpose: one for ideas, one for dreams, one for problem solving, etc.”
“To write, I use this specific mechanical pencil that I’ve had for several years. It’s designed for writing in diaries. I used to use a ballpoint pen with water-based ink, but it made me hesitate to write down feelings that were unclear.”
“Cuyana’s ‘fewer, better’ philosophy aligns perfectly with the guiding principles of the KonMari Method: Identify items that spark joy for you and be mindful of how you use and store them. This case allows me to keep my jewelry beautifully organized. I like to nestle each piece in a bed of crystals to re-energize them every night.”
